Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-14

sort OF Photographic camera, which takes an
instantaneous Impression Of language. how
ever rapid, ambiguous, obscure, involved or
lndistinct 1t may bs. But tn. fact Is Mr..
Stenographer' is human, very human, with
all humanitys pitiful limitations He must
hear the words clearly to write them, and
there is a decided limi, to his speed. Two
hundred and fifty words minute is a hiyl,
speed, but over 400 can be spoken in that
time. Besides. his speed varies Indigestion
or some other complaint NAV draw = film
over the brain and the stenographic forms
will not come as quickly as hidden; but no 40
count Is taken OF that. II he is not able "
read his notes on request, or makes errors In
transcribing what no one understood on de-
livery, care is taken TO let him know he is an
incompetent"
Many inaccuracies or indiscretions in
speeches, which are unnoticei when the Ian
gunge is glowing with oratorical fire, are
glaring when presented in the cold tangi-
bility of type. But the reporter gets all the
blame If ts,y creep In through haste or lack
OF knowledge Of the subject. and if he at
tsmpts to correct, may make worse blunders.
or change the style to the chaSrin of the ora
tor. So he is in strait; he is liable to de-
delivered or tries to correct.
Very vague ideas prevail as TO the cana
hili'ies of the stenographer One noon law
yer came TO me and said: Il want n tran
script Of TIL. mornings testimony" "Whenf"
inquired. by the time court opens this
afternoon. l was expected to trauscrbe
into !onghand in one hour and a half, the
length Of the recess, what it had taken three
hours TO write in shorthand. And vet INV
reply, What would he the use of writing
shorthand if could write Ionghand twice as
rapidly. was regarded as impudence and as
inconte>tablc evidence of NV Incompetence
Constantly writing the thoughts of others.
the stenographer has little opportunity for
originality in his own. Yet 70 be successful
requires much information on various sub
jects. and If that We're used in some original
line of thought and action, the return in
money. and perhaps fame. might he far su.
perior To his highest compensation in stenog-
raphy.
People enormously suppose that, by the
writing IF 80 much matter, the stsuographer
must lay NJ a vas: store Of valuable iuforma-
ton. The words fash so rapidly through his
brain that the thoughts have not time to
lodge. He tries TO get the words and lets
the thoughts take care Of themselves II stray
items of information are caught he has no
time 10 assign them 10 a particular place.
consequently lie may accumulate a mass Of
upconmect-,i facts not classified TO be of ready
accessibility. The thoughts represented
',y the w"ris the stenoSrapher writes 30
rspid.y wear no deep courses in the memory.
They are like leaves scurrying across a dusty
road, they leave faint traces which are soon
rblt-ratei An experienced law reporter
Jnce told mo that lie firmly beleye ed the
practice Of sterography weakened rather
than strengthened the memory. This NAV
have b2en somewhat strong. but, as the
memory Is not required 10 hold the thought
more than all instant, in which il must recall
the peculiar forms 70 represent the spoken
words. the tendency certainly is not tc in
crease its retentiveness or to cultivate the
faculty Of orderly reasoning.
There are, of course, some fine situations
particularly in the political field-to which
sten"graphy is the open sesame but its
magical power lies in long and hard expert
ence. a reputation for faithfulness and accu-
racy, and ready information OH many sub
jects, and the situations are not, as is gener-
ally supposed. smooth and pleasant paths,
adorned by perennial flowers Of ease and en-
joyment.
II it be said that these trial. are 10 worse
than those Of o her vocations, and are to he
courageously met and overcome Us the OBJ
stacles incident to all earthly careers then
let me say, III conclusion. that, for some rea-
son, stenographers rarely regard their pursuit
rs being adopted for life, hut are forever
looking forward TO some happy time when
they will be relieved OF their burdens 1t
may be seriously questioned then whether it
is wise to adopt II calling one will almost GER
tainly not to wish to follow till old age, and
when there Is a grave doubt of its returns
compen satng the toll, care and intense strain
upon the vitality. H. NJ HoKE